Carbonator apparatus



June 8 1948- c` v. DI PIETRO CARBONATOR APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1944 5fllilflllllllllllllll.

. INVENTOR. 642776Z@ 'gezzra,

CARBONATOR APPARATUS Filed Feb. 3, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INI/NTOR:

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.affair/VEZ Patented June 8, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARBONATOR AIPA-RA'IIJ'Sv CarmeloV. Di Pietro, Birmingham, Mich. Application'vFehruary 3, 1944, SeriaINo. 520,995

7 Claims.A (Cl. 261-11) This invention relates to instantaneous carbonator'apparatus.

An objectA ofthe inventionis tofprovde an instantaneous carbonator apparatus infwhich maximum saturation ofwater with carbon dioxide gasiismaintained. regardless of varying time intervals between drafts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an instantaneous carbonator apparatusinwhich carbonated water is maintained within a predetermined volume range in a storage chamber through means of an electric system controlling operation of a motor for driving apump that delivers-water to the mixing chamber.

Another object of the invention is to provide aniinstantaneous carbonator apparatus in which the pressure of free gas is maintained' only slightly above the set pressurefofthe.l incoming gas-to thereby eliminate undue l restriction. to gas How into themixing chamber as required, and to maintainsuch pressure by reliefV ofv the free gas to the incominggas.

A further object of the invention is toprovide a carbonator apparatus having a refrigerated waterintake conduit, leading to a chamber'v for mixture: with carbon dioxide gas and also to. a drinking water outlet with water supply means whereby water is automatically delivered to the intake conduit from a source under pump developed pressure when carbonated water is withdrawn-fromthe apparatus and under-lower-pressure at the source when the pump is not operatingand drinking water is withdrawn.V

Another object of the invention is toisimplify the` water control means for an instantaneous carbonator apparatus to reduce the. number of moving partsrequiring service and renewal.

Otherobjects of the invention will appear from the followingrdescription taken in connection .with thedrawings, which form apart of this specification, and in which:

Fig. 1- is an elevational View, partly. broken away,L ofV arefrigerated carbonator mixing and storing.. structureincorporating a part of the invention.

Iig.r 2.5 isa diagrammatic view of a complete instantaneous carbonator apparatus .incorporatingtheinvention.

In theillustrated carbonator apparatus, Iii designatesgenerally the housing structure in which carbon dioxide gas and water are received, cooled,` mixed and; stored for draft; Suchv housingV in many; respectsacan" be similar; to that" contained in. my; copending applicationsrSerial;Nos: 289,984 andl467,547, ledrAugust 14; 1939; and December.

1, 1942, respectively; nowiPatent No. 2,348,791 dated May 16,- 1944,V andv Patent No. 2,401,915 dated June 11', 1946, respectively. An inner wall or tube II forms a'v chamber I 2 and surrounding such wallvinfrel'atively close but spaced relation thereto is another wall or tube I3V forming'cham- `ber I 4. Base ring memberA I5 isLA secured'around the outside ofthe bottom portionY ofwall I3- and the upper end ofl wall I3 is turned inwardly to form a head I 6V that is spaced above the-top of wall I I. Because of.' this space' between wall I I and the head; chambers; I2` andv I4- will always be in open communication, Thebottorn` ofY tube HV is closed" byv an inverted cup shaped wall I I thatfis lsecured thereto.

A meteringand; mixing device" for carbon dioxide gas and water-indicated generally by numeralt29includesa housing1'2flf that encloses the bottom of ring I 5 and'is secured thereto. Passage 23 in the housing is arranged to receive water and passage 24T in the housing isV arrangedV to' receive" carbondioxide gas. Check valveV 2510011- trols water ow: through passage 23h and` check valveZur' controls gasow throughpassage 24.

' TubeZ'i extends from passage 23 to the *atop portion oi`= the wall` I7, thefmixingchamber 29 being located? within" this wallV and` the top of housing 2|; Partition29 is secured on tube-21 below the openings'22: therein and'its periphery is slightly spacedfrom the vertical portion ofiwall I l. Passage means 30 is formed inhousing 2| to establign-communication between gas passage 2li and the' portionA off chamberv 28 below'the partition. A stack' of` disks-32;.having metering serrations in their adjacenty faces; lies between the' outer portion 0f` the partition and the housing 2i so thatigasfcan owoutwardly'into `the water passingf downwardly'between` the partition and the vertical portion ofwall I T toprovide'initial mixture. Such mixture'will flow between housing 2i andthe#V bottom edge of tubeV I I- and upwardly through narrow chamber." I4 from which it flows over-the top edge of'tube II into chamber I2i` The source of carbon dioxide gas can be acylinder dfthat is connectedwith passage 24`in the .housing 2I'ofv the mixing device -by conduit lil.

In conduit'tdl; adjacent to ther gas'cylinder, is a pressure regulator'valve 421 and check-Valve i3 iSalSo'in'the conduitlbetween the regulator valve andthe mixing chamber. The check' valve prevents back ow of thegas.

Th'ef source of 'waterg' indicated byV numeral d5,

can abe acity ysupplyreservoir orani7 other source from which watern'ows under relatively low pressure: ProvisionV :isy madev to mechanically or otherwise refrigerate water flowing from the source of supply into the mixing device, and water inlet conduit means 45 can have a portion coiled around tube I3 and enclosed by a wall or tube 41 forming a refrigeration chamber 48. This chamber 418 can be closed at its bottom by ring member I and at its top by an inturned portion of tube 41 xed to head I6. Inlet 49 and outlet 50 are suitably connected by conduits 61 and 68 respectively with a conventional mechanical refrigerating system so that refrigerant will pass through chamber 48 as required to maintain a suitable temperature for the water and the interior of the mixing and storage housing.

An outlet 5I for drinking water is connected to the conduit means 4B intermediate the portion in the refrigeration chamber and the water passage in the housing 2|. The water inlet conduit means is connected with outlet conduit 53 leading from the source of water supply under low pressure by two conduits 54 and 55. Conduit 54 has a one way valve means 56 therein which opens away from the source and conduit 55 has a one way valve means 51 therein which closes toward the water entry end. A pump 58 is arranged in conduit 55 between the one way valve means 51 and outlet conduit 53, such pump being driven by a suitable electric motor 59 for raising the water pressure, when operating, above that of the water at the source of supply. If drinking water is drawn from conduit 5I while the pump is idle, the water supply would 'be inadequate because valve means 51 is closed, but as valve means 56 is open Water will flow to the intake conduit means from the source of supply as it is withdrawn and thus draft of drinking water will not reduce the water supply when the pump is inactive. While the pump is operating valve means 51 will be opened and valve means 56 will be closed.

It is essential that water be supplied to the mixing and storage device in substantially the same volume as it is withdrawn by draft and the pump operation is controlled for this purpose by a oatless automatic electric control system associated with the pump motor. Such control means includes a pair of spaced electrodes 60 and 6I having their contact ends spaced vertically a suitable distance that will determine the high and low limits of the water level maintained in chamber I2. The electrodes are carried by a cylindrical body 62 formed of insulation material and having an axially extending outlet passage B3 therethrough. An outlet tube 64 is xed to the outer end of the body by cap screw 65 and in communication with passage 63. The body projects part way through and is secured in collar 66 that is xed to the head wall portion I6, the contact ends of the electrodes projecting into chamber I2 below the body.

Stainless steel wool is provided in the chamber I2 and the electrodes are shielded from the wool by tube 1 I. The wool occupies the space in chamber I2 exteriorly of the tube and the tube `has openings 12 adjacent the bottom of chamber I2 through which carbonated water can flow and maintain volume levels corresponding to those exterior thereof. An outlet conduit 14 is secured to the lower end of the electrode body in communication with passage 63 and the inlet end of such conduit lies adjacent wall I1.

The operation of electric motor 59 is controlled by a circuit established through conductors 8|, 82 and 83. Conductor 8| leads to the motor from a suitable source of electric supply, conductor 83 is also connected with the source of electric supply and conductor 82 leads from the electric motor to a control station 84. The control station has suitable control mechanism therein for making and breaking the connection between conductors 82 and 83, such control mechanism being actuated through means of conductors 85 and 86 connected to electrodes 65 and GI. The uid containing structure I0 is grounded by conductor 80.

The electrical control is arranged to cut out the electric circuit to the motor when the liquid level in chamber I2 contacts electrode 6I and to cut in when the fluid level in chamber l2 drops below electrode 60. The electrodes are preferably formed of material, such as stainless steel silver plated, to prevent their deterioration from electrolytic action. The shield 1I prevents the steel wool from contacting the electrodes and causing short circuiting, and such shield can be formed of plastic, glass or other suitable material.

Provision is made for a predetermined high pressure in chamber I2. Neck 9D can be xed to head I6 and a needle valve 9| can be seated therein by spring 92 bearing against cap 93 screwed on the end ofthe neck. The adjustment of the cap will determine the spring pressure required to be overcome by gas pressure to open the valve.

Provision is also made for relieving pressure in the chamber I2 a little above set pressure in the gas inlet conduit and below that at which the blow off valve 9| will open, and for recirculating such outgoing gas through the mixing portion of the structure. Arm 9B extends from neck below valve 9I and has a needle check valve 91 therein seated by spring 98 seated against a screw ring 99 adjustable to regulate the gas pressure required to open the valve. Conduit IUE) leads from the arm and is secured thereto by coupling IIlI, the conduit IDD being connected to the gas intake conduit 4I between check valve 43 and the mixing chamber.

Valve 42 is set to permit gas flow from cylinder 49 at some desired pressure, say 100 pounds per square inch, past valve 43 into the conduit 4I. When carbonated water is Withdrawn from chamber I2, pressure inthe mixing and storage chambers drops below the gas pressure in conduit 4I and gas can flow into the mixing chamber past check valve 26. When the pump is operating, water will iow past check valve 25 into the mixing chamber and will raise the water level in the storage chamber. Some free gas will collect in the head of the chamber and the rising water will increase the pressure of such gas in the head above the set pressure in conduit 4I and so long as the head pressure is above the set pressure in conduit 4I no gas can pass by valve 26. Thus the carbonated water will not be fully saturated with gas, as gas will not flow into the mixing chamber with the water. When this head pressure is excessive, valve 9| will open for relief and this can occur when the apparatus is initially set up so that hand purging of air and/or gas is not necessary. Valve 91 is set to be opened by a pressure below that required to open valve 9| but above that of the set gas pressure in conduit 4I. As an example, valve 91 can be set to open when there is a pressure of 102 pounds per square inch in the chamber I2.

The water and gas are thoroughly mixed prior to entering chamber I4 and the mixing continues as the mixture moves upwardly and ows into the top of chamber I2. The mixture must flow downwardly through the steel woclin chamber I2 Where gas clinging to the moisti-surfacesof thefwooliis pickediupandfmixed in with the mixture. The advantages of this mixing arrangement and the' effect of refrigeration are more fullyrset forth in the previouslyfmentioned applications.

As a further means of. preventing undue pressure rise inthe'chamber` I2; the carbonated water volumezis maintained between; two predetermined levels. The electrodes function. to control. the motor; circuits o that ,thepumpl will automatically maintains awater volume-z ini chamber I 2 between two levels', as` determined..by: the spaced' relation ofthezcontac-t ends.of.the;electrodes. This arrangement' will o alwaysv provide:suiiicient carbonatedwater in chamber. I2 tozmeet any sequence off drafts. By, limiting. thefupper levelof carbonated. water, in chamber:- I2;,the pressure` of free gas is limitedisothat.valve` QIwill haveisuicient capacity to relieve pressure when it is required to open. Thus, this control also assists in holding down pressure in the head that would unduly hold the check valve 26 closed.

Gas flowing past valve 9'! will enter conduit 4i and will raise the pressure therein momentarily so that gas will surge past check valve 216 when pressure in conduit 4I and chamber I2 becomes equalized. This surging of gas will insure a maximum inflow to the mixing chamber so that the water will be thoroughly saturated before draft even though there is a momentary delayed entrance.

By limiting the upper water level in chamber I2, a large surface area of steel wool will lie above the carbonated water. This large surface being wet and cold will immediately dissolve a large quantity of gas in contact therewith and, as the incoming mixture must trickle through this mass area, it will absorb its maximum volume of gas. The gas relieved through conduit IIB!) is recirculated with the incoming gas so lthat it is not wasted. The electric control of Water eliminates previously used moving par-ts that required service and replacement. The carbonator structure will function fairly ecien-tly without the valve 91, but the use of such valve will aid in a better equalization of pressures in the storage chamber and conduit 4I. Thus, the pump is not subjected to extreme pressure differential and a more uniform mixture of gas and water will be maintained.

It will be understood that various forms of the invention other than that described above may be used without departing from the spirit or scop of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. In a carbonator apparatus, a structure having a refrigerated chamber, a mixing chamber for water and carbon dioxide gas and a carbonated water storage chamber connected with the mixing chamber, a source of water under relatively low pressure, conduit means extending through the refrigerated chamber and connected with the mixing chamber, a check valve in the conduit means adjacent the mixing chamber, drinking water outlet communicating with the conduit means between the refrigerated chamber and check valve, connecting means between the source of water under low pressure and the conduit means in advance of the refrigerated chamber, a second connecting means between the source of water and the conduit means in advance oi the refrigerated chamber in parallel with the other connecting means, pump means in the second 6. connecting` means, and means responsive to the liquidi level: in; said storageA chamber controlling operationzofi the pump: means to maintain a pre'.- det'ermine=d"fvolume range ofcarbonatedwaterf in the storage chamber..

2'. In a carbonatorapparatus, astructurehaving a refrigerated'chamber, Aa mixingchamber for water' and carbon-f dioxide gasand alcarbonated water storage chamber connectedwiththe mixing chamber, a source of water under relatively low pressure, conduit' means extendingl through the refrigerated chamber and comiectedv withv the mixing chamber, a spring'seated check valve in the conduit-ni-eans` adjacent the mixing chamber, adrinking Water outlet from the conduit means between the check` valve and the refrigerated chamber, means connectingV the conduit' means with the source of water supply, a check: valve in said connecting means seated toward the source of waterl supply, avsecond means connecting the conduit means `with the source of'W-ater supply, a pump in said second connecting means, a check valve in the second connecting means seated toward the pump, and automatic means controlling the pump operation to maintain a predetermined volume range of water in the storage chamber.

3. In a carbonator in which water and carbon dioxide gas are mixed to form carbonated Water, a housing having a chamber in which the carbonated water iiows downwardly, a head secured on the housing, a control unit for the volume of Water in the carbonator having electrodes carried by a body formed of insulation material with a passage lengthwise therein, said body extending through and secured to the head with the passage open to the housing chamber, said electrodes having contact ends projecting into the chamber beyond the body, a tube secured to the body in communication with the inner end of the passage, said tube extending beyond the contact ends of the electrodes, and a carbonated water dispensing tube Secured to the outer end of the body.

4. In an apparatus in which pumped water and carbon dioxide gas are to form carbonated water, a housing forming a carbonated water storage chamber, a circuit control unit for controlling the volume of water pumped into the chamber having a body of insulation material and electrodes extending through the body, said body extending through and secured to the top of the housing` and the electrodes extending into the chamber diiierent distances beyond the body, and outlet means for the carbonated water in the chamber extending below the electrodes and through the body.

5. An apparatus in which water and carbon dioxide gas are mixed to form carbonated water, a housing forming a storage ychamber into the head of which the mixture is introduced, a tubular shield in the chamber formed of insulation material and open adjacent its bottom portion to receive carbonated Water from the chamber, electrodes in the tube having contact ends extending different distances toward the bottom of the chamber, steel wool ,filling the chamber exteriorly of the tube, water dispensing conduit means open to the bottom portion of the tube, a pump for supplying water for mixture with the gas, an electric motor for operating the pump, and an electric circuit controlled by said electrodes for starting and stopping the motor.

6. In a carbonator, four telescoped shells forming four chambers, the inner shell being formed of insulation material and having an opening adjacent the bottom, steel Wool in the chamber adjacent the inner chamber, the two intermediate chambers communicating at their top portions, cover means on the next to the outside shell extending over the two inner shells, means supplying carbon dioxide gas and water to the bottom portion of the chamber adjacent the outside chamber, means refrigerating the outside chamber, and an outlet for carbonated water leading from the inner chamber through the cover means.

7. In a carbonator, three telescoped shells forming three chambers, the inner shell having an opening adjacent the base portion, steel wool in the intermediate chamber, top cover means on the outer shell extending over the inner shells, means supplying carbon dioxide gas and water to the bottom of the outer chamber, said outer chamber and intermediate chambers communieating at their top portions, a carbonated water outlet means extending into the inner chamber through the cover means and open thereto adjacent the bottom portion, and water supply con- 8 trol means in said inner chamber carried by the outlet means.

. CARMELO V. DI PIETRO.

REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 625,109 Koenig et a1 May 16, 1899 1,140,081 Spitz May 18, 1915 1,209,490 Pindstofte Dec. 19, 1916 1,373,892 Kimbul Apr. 5, 1921 1,827,386 De Markus Oct. 13, 1931 1,991,568 Murray Feb. 19, 1935 2,212,275 Mojonnier Aug. 20, 1940 2,306,714 Rowell Dec. 29, 1942 2,337,783 Thompson et al Dec. 28, 1943 2,348,791 Di Pietro May 16, 1944 

